Hay-rack clamp.



o. K, D UNBAR. HAY RACK CLAMP.

` APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1913.

Patented May 19, 1914.

fg a

ATTORND; 7mm

WaTNEssEs, 7 d JW UNTTED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

OBIS K. DUNBAR, 0F CENTERVILLE, INDIANA.

HAY-RACK CLAMP.

Losaoii.

To all wlw/m, t may concern Be it known that I, Onis K. DUNBAR, a citizen of the United States, residing in Centerville, in the county of lVayne and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Construction for Hay-Rack Clamps, of which the following is a full, clear, and comprehensive specification, being such as will enable others to make and use the same with exactitude.

The object of my present invention, broadly speaking, is to produce a clamp which will be strong and durable in construction, neat in appearance, easily placed in position, will occupy a minimum amount of space, light in weight, and which can be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low price.

More specifically stated, my object is to provide a clamp, intended, more particularly for securing together various parts of hay racks, but at the same time being adapted for other purposes, with means whereby the various parts are made adjustable to meet various conditions.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be made apparent in the course of the following specification.

One manner for carrying out my invention in a practical manner, and that which I have found the most practical, is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-k Figure l is a perspective view of one of my clamps iii connection with portions of the several members which it is adapted to secure together. Fig. 2 is an enlarged pei'- spective view of one of my clamps alone. And Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a hayrack showing the application of my invention thereto for securing certain of the parts in position.

Similar indices denote like parts throughout the several views.

In order that the construction, the operation, and the advantages of my invention may be better understood and appreciated l will now take up a detailed description thereof in which I will set forth the invention as comprehensively as l may.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 13, 1913.

Patented May 19, 1914.

serial No. 800,752.

the sills A.. Letter C denotes the upper cross beams,l of which there are four in this instance; they are spaced apart, and they extend across above the sills A. Each one of the upperl cross beams is located directly above and extends parallel with the lower' my invention, and said parts may be variously changed as desired.

irly invention proper relates only to the means for securing together the members A,

B, .and G at each of the intersections,said

meansbeing shown alone in Fig. 2. Each` of lthe clamps comprises a relatively long .in-

verted tl-shaped yoke l having two spaced Vapart parallel sides connected Vat the top,

with the ends terminating in outwardly protruding flanges, said flanges being at rightangles to the sides and parallel with the central portion of the yoke. Formed through the sides of the yoke are the verti- 1 cal slots e, the same being located ropposite eachother and near the flanges on the lower portions of the yoke. A bolt aperture is formed vertically through each of the iianges of the yoke l, for the purpose hereinafter mentioned.

Numeral 2 denotes a U-shaped link, hav ing two sides parallel with each other and a central portion connecting the sides. Formed through the upper portion of each of the sides of the link 2 are the vertical slots a?. The link 2 is adapted to interlock with the yoke l, with the central portion of the link-in contact with the under side of the central portion of the yoke, as .shown in Fig. 2. The yoke 1 and the link 2 are both formed of suitable lengths of flat material, substantially as indicated.

Numeral 3 denotes a bolt adapted to be disposed across through the slots and numeral t denotes a bolt adapted to be disposed across through the slots e.

Numerals 5 and 6 denote bolts, identical with each other, which extend down through the bolt-apertures in the flanges of the yoke. Below said flanges the said bolts 5 and 6 pass through the two plates 7 and S, with nuts 9 and l() threaded on the lower ends of the respective bolts 5 and 6.

In assembling the parts in operative positions the yoke l and the link 2 are first coupled together, as in Fig. 2, the yoke l is then arrangement the nuts 9 placed astride the sill A. The plate 7 is then brought into contact with and extended across the lower edge of the sill, after which the lower cross beam B is brought up into contact with the plate 7, as in Fig. 2. I-Ioles are now (or previously) formed through the beam B to receive the bolts and 6, which are inserted down through the apertures in the flanges of the yoke, through the plate 7, and through the beam B. The plate 8 is then brought into contact with the lower face of the beam B with the bolts 5 and 6 extending therethrough. :After the above and 10 are run on the bolts 5 and 6 and tightened, by which the yoke is drawn down tightly upon the sill. rIhe bolt d is next inserted through Y the slots .e and through a corresponding aperture formed through the sill A. I next place the upper cross beam C between the sides or" the link 2, with its lower edge resting on the central portion of the yoke I, as in Fig. l, where it is secured by the bolt 3 which passes through the slots and through a corresponding aperture formed through the cross beam C. Villlen assembled as set forth it is apparent that the three members A, B, and are securely locked together, and that without materially weakening said members. It is also apparent that if for any reason the members A, B, and C should shrink or become loose tor any reason, it will be very easy to compensate therefor by tightening the parts Ywithout disassembling the parts. It should also be observed` that by reason of my construction I am able to provide the yokes and the links of a standard size adapted to operate in connection with various size members A, B and C, it being necessary only to employ bolts of suitable lengths, varying them to meet various conditions.

I desire that it be understood that the clamp herein shown is not torbe limited to the construction herein shown, but it may be employed in various ways as desired; neither am I to be limited to the exact de tails of construction herein shown and described.

'from said Hanges of the yoke, a bolt extending across through vertical slots formed through the sides of the yoke, and a bolt extending across through the sides of the link all substantially as shown and described.

2. A clamp comprising a yoke formed of flat material having parallel sides spaced apart and a central portion connecting said sides at the top, there being a ange extending out from each end of the yoke at the lower portion thereof, a bolt connecting the sides of the yoke and disposed through vertical slots formed through the sides of the yoke, a link formed of Hat material and having` two parallel sides and a central portion adapted to engage under the central portion of the yoke, a bolt disposed across through apertures formed through `the sides of the link, and bolts extending down through apertures formed through the said flanges of the yoke.

A clamp comprising a yoke having parallel sides spaced apart and having vertical slots formed in its sides, a flange extending out from each end of the yoke, a link whose central portion is adapted to engage with the central portion of the yo-ke, securing means for each of said flanges, securing means extending across through said slots in the sides of the yoke, and securing means extending` across through the sides or" the link, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing` witnesses.

OBIS K. DUNBAR. Witnesses z R. W. HANDLE, R. E. HANDLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained` for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, IJ. C. 

